Saturday, December 30, 2006

Maximum Security Democracy Vol 5 Podcast Posted

Volume 5 of my podcast is up. I talk a lot about the DHS and the new ways they are finding to track and spy on the average American. I also talk about the politics of science. Enjoy!

Friday, December 29, 2006

The Republican Propaganda Talk Show Hosts Create New History

One of the tools the right wing talk show hosts and writers use it to inject a little fiction into fact, and/or try to make fiction fact. They do this by trying to pass opinions off as fact, and to convince the public they are experts in areas they clearly have no expertise. The result is, after they generate enough force behind their opinions they become in a way factual to the public. Look at what has happened to the word liberal. It has become a bad word. Nobody wants to be called a liberal anymore because it carries such negative connotation.

Here is a link to a video of Ann Coulter getting a history lesson. Very funny.

Link

I think it is very typical of the Republican right wing to want to rewrite history the way they think it should be.

The former history teacher Bill O'Reilly wants to rewrite our perspective on Thomas Jefferson to better fit the Republican agenda of mixing religion and politics.

Link

The Republican right has had success speaking as figures of authority on matters they have little knowledge or authority and the public seems to accept what they say. Americans have lost their ability to objectively view anything. Instead they tend to look for people who can "create" at atmosphere, a history, and a culture which completely supports and justifies their point of view.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Rights Are Optional

Donald Vance filed a lawsuit for being held without due process in Iraq. That's typical treatment for non US citizens suspected of terrorism, but apparently it is now becoming quite acceptable treatment of US citizens overseas.

After being held for 3 months in solitary confinement without any kind of due process he was dropped off at the Iraq airport without apology.

This incident took place in Iraq and it seems to only be a matter of time before US citizens begin to disappear for months on end without due process. All in the name of defending against "terrorism". How can we defend against a system that is designed to have no checks, no due process, and no accountablility?

As we fight this war in Iraq to bring "freedom" to the people there, we seem to view our own freedom as a necessary causualty in the war on terror.

link to Chicago Tribune article

Saturday, December 16, 2006

The Politics of Science

It seems that the results of scientific studies have become obsolete when they get in the way of political agenda. Considering how powerful the Repulican Propaganda Machine has been as isolating sections of media and outputting a constant bombardment of skewed opinion ie. Fox new and radio, the results of these scientific studies that may be in the interest of the people but not big business get washed under.

Even worse some scientists are feeling bullied to change data to meet political needs. Such pressure has never been worse than under our current administration. This isn't new, but seems to be a trademark of the way the Bush administration handles any science which contradicts their political goals.

10,000 scientists recently signed a statement that demands the restoration of scientific integrity in government policy. On the list are 52 Nobel Prize Laureates.

I think this is a signal that political arms have been bullying the results of scientific research. It has been happening for a long time on issues such as global warming where scientific views don't seem to count, but Bush's view does.

Can we really trust our government to protect us when it comes to research relating to our food, pollution and environmental concerns? I think not.

It is time to restore science to it's true place in setting policy in this country. As it stands good science is being discarded as opinion.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6178213.stm

Friday, December 8, 2006

Thumbs Up for Trans Fat Ban

If you have read any of my posts you would know when it comes to civil rights I side on civil rights vs. laws that limit them. Turns out that a lot of people are trying to make the trans fat law that was passed in New York a civil rights issue. I don't see how this compares at all. You can still choose to eat your junk food, just instead of using trans fat poison, you now will get it made with a natural veggie product like it should be made.

What goes into food needs to be regulated. As it is, food makers insert dyes and all kinds of other unnatural products into food to make it look "better" than it really is. The FDA does approve those items but are they necessary? Can you imagine if the food makers were allowed to put whatever they wanted into food? Regulation needs to happen.

If trans fats were a new product and we knew up front the health risks associated with them, they would never be allowed on the market. All New York is doing is removing a dangerous product from the market, nothing more.

As for the argument of "I want the choice to eat trans fats if I want" here is what I have to say about that. Fine, if you want to use trans fats to make fries, then give me a choice to have fries made in oil without trans fats. There is no "choice" when it comes to trans fats. Take it or leave it isn't a choice. Besides, the argument of people needing choice seems to come from the food preparers not the customers.

So kudos to you New York. I'd like to see other states pick up on the trans fat ban. I'd really like to see a nation wide adaptation of this trans fat ban.




Saturday, December 2, 2006

Civil War or Not?

NBC recently chose to use the word civil war to describe the situation in Iraq. Bill O'Reilly attacked NBC in his radio show saying "a civil war as NBC wants you to think" and "they're all Muslims, and they're doing what they do. They're killing each other. And they're killing Americans."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200612010007

From his television show: "[T]he American media is not helping anyone by oversimplifying the situation and rooting for the USA to lose in Iraq."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200611300006

The War in Iraq has included a lot of rhetoric. I think people agree that there is a war going on in Iraq. It is a matter of classifying what kind of war it is. Perhaps O'Reilly should be attacking CNN and MSNBC for calling the situation a war. Even the right wing commentators have been calling the situation a war, they don't disagree with that. They don’t want us to "cut and run" because they know that the void our troops leave will erupt into a civil war and we will end up with a terrorist state.

I pose this question. If we didn't have the hundred thousand plus soldiers in Iraq at this moment, would there be a civil war then? Our troops are artificially holding the situation in check right now because the Iraqis would be unable to do so on their own. It would escalate if we withdrew now. Our troops are holding the situation in check. That is the most we can do at this point.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Black Friday, Now an American Holiday

What is the meaning of Christmas in America? The answer is found on Black Friday. How many churches have people waiting outside in line for hours on Christmas day? No two for one specials. How many churches have bulging parking months before the big day? Christmas you have officially been superseded by Black Friday as the holiday of choice for America.

We are told that Black Friday makes or breaks the retail sales business. So, it is now a matter of civic duty to get out there and spend some money on this day. You are helping America people, so get out there and spend some money!

I did my civic duty this year. I went out to see what this Black Friday was all about. The interesting thing was everyone out there was complaining about being out there, yet, there they were, celebrating the ritual.

The stores dangled their empty promises for all the shoppers. The "fool's bet" as I like to call it. That's when the stores advertise an item with a deep discount and very limited quantity. Oh poor shoppers, those deals were gone at 5 a.m. yet you still come looking, searching, fixated on your bargains.

Yes America, the malls give you purpose now, not the churches. Oh you still pay the churches lip service but we all know where you spend your time. The rush and the hype draws you out to join you fellow shoppers in the greatest event on earth. It is what the rest of the world aspires to do. Battle in aisle 3 for that last Dora doll. Push past your fellow shopper to get that last camera. Display that sour look and grunt as you join the lengthy line. Black Friday you are America.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Flag Burning

I cringe a little when I see protesters burning the American flag in this country. I don't think things are so bad that this kind of statement should be made. It also hurts those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

That said, the fact that someone can burn the flag as a political statement is proof of the great freedom we have in this country. I don't know why so many people, when they see the flag being burned rush to try to get such actions banned. They cannot bear the burden that needs to be carried if we are to continue to have such a free society. As Franklin said, those who would give up essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

The United States flag is like the phoenix. It rises from it's own ashes as an even stronger symbol of our freedom. Those who burn the flag as a statement in this country are only making fools of themselves because such action would land them in jail in other countries. That we respect freedom above all else only proves how great our nation is.

We need stronger citizens willing to defend liberty. The price for freedom is blood. It only takes a few fools to trade that freedom away. We should not make important decisions when we are overcharged with emotion. It only takes a moment of weakness to trade away our personal liberties. Once they are gone, they are gone for good. Freedom has always been paid in blood.

As a side note here is a link to a cnn article about a town that the display of all foreign flags. Pathetic!
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/20/navarrette.flag/index.html

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Leaked Fox Memo

Someone at Fox news apparently leaked a memo that asks reporters to keep an eye out for insurgents praising the Democratic election win. The memo story was put out by the Huffinton Post and Keith Olbermann followed up with a segment on his show. Fox News, fair and balanced- not.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/11/14/fox-news-internal-memo-_n_34128.html

Another spoke in the Republican Propaganda Machine revealed. Fox News is more like a cog in the Republican Propaganda Machine. Yet the American public watches on, maybe they will wake up and realize that the news they are getting from Fox is from a very closed angle. I'm interested in anything that unveils the inner workings of the Republican Propaganda Machine, hence the post here.

Here is the video clip of Olberman covering the story:

http://lists.alternet.org/blogs/video/44393/

New Episode of My Podcast Up

I have a new episode up of my Maximum Security Podcast. Check it out.
Click here or on the podcast icon at the top of the page.

Hear my take on the war in Iraq. I got a solution to this problem that nobody wants to hear. A final good bye to Rummy. Enron back in the news again what a joke. Glenn Beck puts himself in company with Joseph McCarthy.

http://georgeblume.podomatic.com/

Friday, November 17, 2006

Glenn Beck the new McCarthy

I cannot believe Glenn Beck on national television asked Keith Ellison a Muslim just elected to Congress to prove he is not a terrorist. 'Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.' Have a little class and respect!

Then he goes on to say:
"I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way."
But you just did accuse him Glenn, be a man and at least stand behind what you say.

Glenn are you in any way associated with Joseph McCarthy? Are you planning your own hearings where we all must prove we are not terrorists? Are you going to blacklist us all until we prove to your satisfaction we are patriotic? Or should I say until we meet what you define as "patriotic". You sounded like an ignorant fool Glenn, but I guess you are an ignorant fool. You can put me on your little black list.

This goes to you Mr. Ellison. Get a little backbone! You just got accused as being a terrorist by an idiot talk show host on national television. Expose him for the ignorant fool he is. But no, instead of standing up to him you struck me as being more like "the gimp" in Pulp Fiction.

Here is the video clip:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200611150004/#

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Political Cartoon by George Blume





Digg!

Your Share of the National Debt

As of the date of this post the national debt was $8,610,692,271,807.47

That comes to $28,682.43 per person.

We are overspending at the rate of $2.3 billion per day.

Nice work Mr. Bush and Congress! Hard to believe my newborn son is $28k in debt.

Here is a link to the national debt tracker where I got the above numbers.
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

Here is an article on the national debt by NPR. Take a look a the graph which shows the national debt is 64% of the GNP. The article is mostly about the raising of the national debt ceiling to $9 Trillion dollars. No we don't have a serious spending problem in this country!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5282521

Here is a link to an NPR podcast that talks about the true cost of the war in Iraq. The cost could top $2 Trillion.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5156416

It is wrong to mortgage our future for today. We are facing a serious shortage in Social Security that will start to come due very soon. How are we going to face this problem if we cannot control our current government spending? I hope the Democrats can curtail this massive amount of over spending but I'm not holding my breath.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

GM pulled the plug on a progressive hybrid program in 2002 and now regret it.

It is really hard to have sympathy for U.S. auto manufacturers because they have lacked a vision for the future and a long term game plan. They are getting pounded left and right by foreign car manufacturers. GM had a very forward plug in hybrid program that they completely scrapped in 2002. Toyota and Honda on the other hand, have to be laughing at the lack of foresight by GM. It was obvious that hybrid and other non-gasoline technologies would eventually be the wave of the future. Now GM has will be releasing a hybrid another plug in hybrid prototype in January, but instead of being ahead of the curve, GM is now behind the curve.

This isn't limited to U.S. car manufacturers. It extends to companies who have the strategy of defending the now. What I mean by this is, companies who have a good market share now, and are satisfied with defending that territory instead of looking toward what the future and making plans to embrace and adapt to those future technologies.

The U.S. government has been governing our country with that same philosophy. The world will change around us, we don't have to adapt to a changing world. That is a dead end road.


http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/11/10/bc.autos.gm.reut/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Friday, November 10, 2006

Podcast of my political commentary

Check out my podcast at this address. Episode 1 is up. Hope you find it interesting.

http://georgeblume.podomatic.com/

Political Cartoon